Detecting and monitoring a user&#39;s photographs for health issues

ABSTRACT

A method for analyzing a physical condition based on at least two images. The method selects a plurality of images based on a time lapse interval associated with the plurality of images and a specific physical characteristic being monitored. The method further detects a degree of change in the specific physical characteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises a change in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within the plurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristic being monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with the plurality of images. The method further displays an alert in response to the degree of change exceeding a prescribed threshold for the specific physical characteristic being monitored.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field ofcomputing and more particularly to data processing and analyzing images,over a period of time, for detecting and monitoring health issues.

Individuals may not be aware of minor changes in their own physicalcondition, or of others, on a daily basis. For example, a blemish onone's skin, a change in color of one's pimple, an increase in smallwrinkles, and a slight tilt of one's posture may all be examples ofhealth issues that increase gradually over time and go unnoticed byourselves, our family, and our friends.

In the digital age of today's world, a majority of people use mobiledevices with built-in cameras, have social media accounts, and postphotographs of themselves and others to their social media accounts, tobe shared with friends and family. Additionally, friends and family postphotographs of others, to be shared across social media.

The current state of the art in photographic analysis does not providefor analyzing images, over a period of time, for detecting andmonitoring health issues.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include a method, computer program product,and system, for analyzing images, over a period of time, for detectingand monitoring health issues.

A method, according to an embodiment of the invention, selects aplurality of images based on a time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images and a specific physical characteristic beingmonitored. The method further detects a degree of change in the specificphysical characteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of changecomprises a change in one or more pixel patterns of at least one imagewithin the plurality of images correlated with the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, based on the time lapse intervalassociated with the plurality of images. The method further displays analert in response to the degree of change exceeding a prescribedthreshold for the specific physical characteristic being monitored.

A computer program product, according to an embodiment of the invention,includes a non-transitory tangible storage device having program codeembodied therewith. The program code is executable by a processor of acomputer to perform a method. The method selects a plurality of imagesbased on a time lapse interval associated with the plurality of imagesand a specific physical characteristic being monitored. The methodfurther detects a degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises achange in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within theplurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images. The method further displays an alert in response tothe degree of change exceeding a prescribed threshold for the specificphysical characteristic being monitored.

A computer system, according to an embodiment of the invention, includesone or more computer devices each having one or more processors and oneor more tangible storage devices; and a program embodied on at least oneof the one or more storage devices, the program having a plurality ofprogram instructions for execution by the one or more processors. Theprogram instructions implement a method. The method selects a pluralityof images based on a time lapse interval associated with the pluralityof images and a specific physical characteristic being monitored. Themethod further detects a degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises achange in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within theplurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images. The method further displays an alert in response tothe degree of change exceeding a prescribed threshold for the specificphysical characteristic being monitored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an image health-monitoring computing environment, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of imagehealth-monitoring system 120 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram graphically illustrating the hardware components ofimage health-monitoring system 120 of FIG. 1, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a cloud computing environment, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts abstraction model layers of the illustrative cloudcomputing environment of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses a method to use photographic analysis ofa user's photographic images stored on a user's mobile device, in thecloud, on a third party server, or from social media, over a period oftime, to detect new or changed health issues of a user. Some examplehealth conditions may include sun damage, tumors, weight gain, hairissues, and so forth.

Many people have medical conditions for which they must monitor theirphysical condition, or are susceptible to diseases that slowly altertheir physical condition, often at a pace that may not be evident to thehuman eye on a day-to-day basis. Slow, gradual physical changes overtime may be signs of a disease onset.

The present invention is a way for a user's photos of themselves, storedon their own mobile devices or computer, as well as the user's socialmedia photographic presence to be monitored on a day-to-day basis, or atan alternative pre-configured time lapse interval, for signs of gradualphysical changes that may signal specific disease onset.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments below,but may be implemented with various modifications within the scope ofthe present invention. In addition, the drawings used herein are forpurposes of illustration, and may not show actual dimensions.

FIG. 1 illustrates image health-monitoring computing environment 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Imagehealth-monitoring computing environment 100 includes user computingdevice 110, social media server 130, and database server 140 allconnected via network 102. The setup in FIG. 1 represents an exampleembodiment configuration for the present invention, and is not limitedto the depicted setup in order to derive benefit from the presentinvention.

In an example embodiment, user computing device 110 includes userinterface 112, social media application 114, image database 116, andimage health-monitoring system 120. In various embodiments, usercomputing device 110 may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbookcomputer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic devicecapable of communicating with social media server 130 and databaseserver 140 via network 102. User computing device 110 may includeinternal and external hardware components, as depicted and described infurther detail below with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments,user computing device 110 may be implemented in a cloud computingenvironment, as described in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, herein. Usercomputing device 110 may also have wireless connectivity capabilitiesallowing it to communicate with social media server 130, database server140, and other computers or servers over network 102.

In the example embodiment, user computing device 110 includes userinterface 112, which may be a computer program that allows a user tointeract with user computing device 110 and other connected devices vianetwork 102. For example, user interface 112 may be a graphical userinterface (GUI). In addition to comprising a computer program, userinterface 112 may be connectively coupled to hardware components, suchas those depicted in FIG. 3, for receiving user input. In the exampleembodiment, user interface 112 is a web browser, however in otherembodiments user interface 112 may be a different program capable ofreceiving user interaction and communicating with other devices.

In the example embodiment, social media application 114 may be acomputer program, on user computing device 110, that is capable ofreceiving natural language text input of a user, location identifier ofa user, streaming/live video of a user, photographs of a user, check-insat restaurant/bar/stadium establishments, and so forth, from a user,which may be consolidated and analyzed and provide a glimpse into socialactivity patterns of a user. The more frequently, consistently, andaccurately a user interacts with a social media application 114, themore genuine of a measurement of social patterns (e.g. when a personeats, sleeps, engages in social events) for a user may be obtained.

In the example embodiment, user computing device 110 includes imagedatabase 116, which may be a local storage database for storing acollection of images for a user, taken from user computing device 110 orany device connected to user computing device 110. In exemplaryembodiments, image database 116 may be organized according to date,location, facial recognition, metadata tags, favorite images, videos,selfies, or in any other fashion known to one of ordinary skill in theart.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, social media server 130 includessocial media platform 132, and may be a laptop computer, tabletcomputer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a server, or anyprogrammable electronic device capable of communicating with usercomputing device 110 and database server 140 via network 102. Whilesocial media server 130 is shown as a single device, in otherembodiments, social media server 130 may be comprised of a cluster orplurality of computing devices, working together or working separately.Social media server 130 may include internal and external hardwarecomponents, as depicted and described in further detail below withreference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, social media server 130 maybe implemented in a cloud computing environment, as described inrelation to FIGS. 4 and 5, herein. Social media server 130 may also havewireless connectivity capabilities allowing it to communicate with usercomputing device 110, database server 140, and other computers orservers over network 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, social media platform 132 may be a websitecapable of hosting social media content shared between registered users,including user profiles, uploaded images of users, and social mediaposts. For example, social media platform 132 may be capable ofreceiving manually input status updates of a user, location of a user,posted images (i.e. photographs) or videos of a user, natural languagecomments and timestamps associated with a posted image or video of auser, status update, and/or location of a user, streaming/live video,check-ins at restaurant/bar/stadium establishments, and so forth, from auser, which may be consolidated and analyzed and provide a glimpse intopersonality traits, social activity patterns, dietary patterns, andoutward physical health appearances of a user. The more frequently,consistently, and accurately a user interacts with a social mediaapplication (e.g. social media platform 132) the more genuine of ameasurement of personality traits, social activity patterns, dietarypatterns, and outward physical health appearances of a user may beobtained.

In an exemplary embodiment, social media platform 132 is accessed via aninternet browser, such as user interface 112 on user computing device110. In other embodiments, however, social media platform 132 may beaccessed via other means, or may be a standalone program.

In various embodiments, social media platform 132 may be a collection offiles, including, but not limited to, for example, HTML files, CSSfiles, XML files, image files and JavaScript files. Social mediaplatform 132 may also include other resources such as audio files andvideo files. In an exemplary embodiment, social media platform 132 maybe a social media website such as Facebook® (Facebook is a registeredtrademark of Facebook, Inc.), Twitter® (Twitter is a registeredtrademark of Twitter, Inc.), LinkedIn® (LinkedIn is a registeredtrademark of LinkedIn Corporation), or Instagram® (Instagram is aregistered trademark of Instagram, LLC).

With continued reference to FIG. 1, database server 140 includes imagerepository 142 and may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbookcomputer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a smart phone, a server, or any programmable electronicdevice capable of communicating with user computing device 110 andsocial media server 130 via network 102. While database server 140 isshown as a single device, in other embodiments, database server 140 maybe comprised of a cluster or plurality of computing devices, workingtogether or working separately. Database server 140 may include internaland external hardware components, as depicted and described in furtherdetail below with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, databaseserver 140 may be implemented in a cloud computing environment, asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, herein. Database server 140 mayalso have wireless connectivity capabilities allowing it to communicatewith user computing device 110, social media server 130, and othercomputers or servers over network 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, image repository 142 may be a database forstoring a collection of images for a user, for example images that arestored on a cloud. In exemplary embodiments, image repository 142 mayinclude a user's images that span multiple years and may be organizedaccording to date, location, facial recognition, metadata tags, favoriteimages, videos, selfies, or in any other fashion known to one ofordinary skill in the art. In alternative embodiments, image repository142 may store selected images that depict a change in a specificphysical characteristic being monitored by image health-monitoringsystem 120 over a period of time, and categorize the images according tothe specific physical characteristic being monitored. For example, if auser wants to monitor their weight gain/loss or a lump on their neckover the course of 6 months, full body photographs, or photographs thatcapture the lump, of the user may be selected and stored inchronological order, by date, in image repository 142 under category<user_weight> or <user_lump>, respectively.

In various embodiments, image repository 142 is capable of being storedon image health-monitoring system 120, or user computing device 110, asa separate database.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, image health-monitoring system 120,in the example embodiment, may be a computer application on usercomputing device 110 that contains instruction sets, executable by aprocessor. The instruction sets may be described using a set offunctional modules. Image health-monitoring system 120 receives inputfrom social media application 114, image database 116, social mediaserver 130, and database server 140. In alternative embodiments, imagehealth-monitoring system 120 may be a standalone program on a separateelectronic device or server.

In an exemplary embodiment, the functional modules of imagehealth-monitoring system 120 include image selector 122, image changedetector 124, and communication module 126.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, image health-monitoring system 120is capable of selecting a plurality of images based on a time lapseinterval associated with the plurality of images and a specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored. Image health-monitoring system 120 isfurther capable of detecting a degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises achange in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within theplurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images. Image health-monitoring system 120 is furthercapable of displaying an alert in response to the degree of changeexceeding a prescribed threshold for the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of imagehealth-monitoring system 120 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, image selector 122 includes a set ofprogramming instructions, in image health-monitoring system 120, toselect a plurality of images based on a time lapse interval associatedbetween the plurality of images and a specific physical characteristicbeing monitored (step 202). In exemplary embodiments, a specificphysical characteristic being monitored may be automatically detected byimage health-monitoring system 120 (e.g. changes in consistencythroughout a plurality of images over time), or customizable by a user.Examples of specific physical characteristics being monitored inselected images may include hair loss, tumor growth, weight gain, sundamage, and any other physical condition that may be detected externallyon a person over time.

In exemplary embodiments, a time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images is customizable based on a specific health issue tobe monitored. The time lapse interval may include a span of time thatimage health-monitoring system 120 is configured to monitor a specificphysical characteristic of a user, from as short as a few hours or lessto as long as a few years or more. Selected images, either from imagedatabase 116, image repository 142, or social media platform 132, maycontain date-stamp and time-stamp metadata to identify when an image wascaptured. In alternative embodiments, captured images may beautomatically stored in chronological order in image database 116 andimage repository 142. For example, a user may configure imagehealth-monitoring system 120 to analyze a small lump on their neck overa six-month period of time, or customize a monthly monitoring of auser's skin pigmentation. In alternative embodiments, in the absence ofany customized user preferences, image health-monitoring system 120 mayhave a default pre-configuration to continuously monitor the selectedimages of a user for any notable changes in any physical characteristicsof the user.

In exemplary embodiments, a user may take photographs via user computingdevice 110 (e.g. a smartphone with a built-in camera) and automaticallystore the captured photographs in image database 116. In alternativeembodiments, a user may take digital photographs with a classic camera(i.e. a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera), or any other device capable oftaking photographs, and upload the digital photographs to user computingdevice 110. In further alternative embodiments, image health-monitoringsystem 120 may be paired with automatic selfie tools such astechnological gadgets that are capable of taking photographs of a userfor alternative purposes such as suggesting articles of clothing towear.

In exemplary embodiments, the captured photographs may include images ofnature, friends, family members, and the user themselves. A “selfie”photograph refers to an image that a user takes of him or herself usinghis or her own camera. A user may use the captured photographs invarious ways. For example, a user may organize a library on imagedatabase 116 or image repository 142, send one or more images to othersvia private text message or e-mail, post one or more images to a socialmedia platform 132, and so forth. Similarly, a friend or family membermay take one or more photographs of a user and send the one or morephotographs to the user via private text message or e-mail, or tag theuser in the photograph on a social media post. In various embodiments, auser may be detected in photographs, without being tagged, on socialmedia posts and in photographs on his/her device, via image/facialrecognition analysis techniques known to one of ordinary skill in theart.

In various embodiments, image selector 122 may be capable of mining aplurality of sources, wherein the plurality of sources is selected froma group consisting of a social media application 114 or social mediaplatform 132, user computing device 110, and a third party server suchas database server 140, containing image repository 142. In exemplaryembodiments, image selector 122 mines for images of the user,particularly images of the user where a specific physical characteristicbeing monitored is optimally represented in each image. For example, inthe case of the lump on a user's neck being monitored for changes insize, image selector 122 may select identified images of the user withhis/her neck exposed (e.g. user at the beach, user at a party, and soforth) as opposed to images of the user with his/her neck covered up(i.e. user skiing, user wearing a turtle-neck, and so forth). Imageselector 122 further coordinates the selected images of the user withthe specific physical characteristic being represented, together withthe date and time of the selected images.

In alternative embodiments, comments associated with a social media post(e.g. image, video, etc.) may provide an indication that the socialmedia post depicts the individual user. Further, image selector 122 mayutilize a natural language text processing tool that is capable ofidentifying an individual user in a social media post, electronic mailcontent, or any other digital content known to one of ordinary skill inthe art (e.g. natural language text) by identifying the individual'sname, identifying a snippet of text describing a health concern of theuser, or a comment on a posted image that references a specific physicalcharacteristic (e.g. lump, skin pigmentation, sunburn, etc.) of theuser.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, image change detector 124includes a set of programming instructions, in image health-monitoringsystem 120, to detect a degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises achange in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within theplurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images (step 204).

In exemplary embodiments, image change detector 124 is capable ofnormalizing the selected plurality of images based on the specificphysical characteristic being monitored. Normalizing the selectedplurality of images may include, but is not limited to, the followingvarious techniques well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, suchas adjusting the brightness of the at least one image within theselected plurality of images, cropping the at least one image, withinthe selected plurality of images, to focus on the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, and rotating the at least one imagewithin the selected plurality of images.

In exemplary embodiments, image change detector 124 normalizes eachselected image to enable optimum comparison. For example, if a user isinterested in a change in their skin pigmentation over a three-monthperiod, then adjusting the brightness of two or more comparative imagesmay play a critical role in determining whether there is actually a skinpigmentation change to be concerned about.

In various embodiments, image change detector 124 may not have a largeenough sample size of images for a specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, either for a specific time interval period or in total.As such, image change detector 124 may be capable of instructing a userto take a new image of the specific physical characteristic beingmonitored. For example, referring back to the lump on a user's neck, theuser may not have any clear, recent images of his/her neck due to thecold winter season and all images of the user are outdoors where theuser is wearing a puffy winter coat. As such, image change detector 124may send the user an instruction, via communication module 126, to takea current image (i.e. “selfie”) indoors, over a span of a certain numberof days, weeks, or months (i.e. depending on the customized time lapseinterval) where a clear picture of the lump on the user's neck may becaptured.

In exemplary embodiments, image change detector 124 may be capable ofcreating a comparison of the selected plurality of images for a specificphysical characteristic being monitored, noting the degree of changebetween the selected plurality of images of the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored. The degree of change may be measured bythe number of pixel changes (e.g. color, size, etc.) for a specificphysical characteristic, after normalization of the images. Withcontinued reference to the example above, a lump on the user's neck,image change detector 124 may compare selected images of the lump on theuser's neck over the course of three months, where four images of theuser's neck per month are captured (i.e. one image per week). Imagechange detector 124, after normalizing the selected images, may detectthat the lump encompasses one additional pixel in each chronologicalselected image with each passing week. Image change detector 124 maydetermine that the lump on the user's neck increases at a 5% change permonth based on the comparison of the selected images.

In exemplary embodiments, image change detector 124 may be capable ofcomparing the selected plurality of images with a medical encyclopediadatabase of images. In further embodiments, image change detector 124may be pre-configured with medical knowledge, or even a user's ownmedical records, with reference to specific external physicalcharacteristics being monitored for the user, and contain thresholdvalues (i.e. percentage change of the specific physical characteristicover the time lapse interval) for when to alert the user based ondetected changes of the specific physical characteristic (e.g. skinpigmentation, lump sizes, blemishes on skin, and so forth).

In exemplary embodiments, in response to the degree of change exceedingthe prescribed threshold, image health-monitoring system 120 may mineone or more user activities from the plurality of selected images,geographic location, and social network postings for informationcorrelating to the degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored. Image health-monitoring system 120 mayfurther determine that the one or more user activities correlate withthe degree of change in the specific physical characteristic beingmonitored, and display preventative health information to a user basedon the determined one or more user activities that correlate with thedegree of change in the specific physical characteristic beingmonitored.

For example, image change detector 124 may detect that the user has asignificant hair loss problem. Image health-monitoring system 120 maythen mine one or more of the user's activities and find out that theuser spends too many hours sitting in his/her office at his/her desk, bykeeping track of GPS information of the user over the last three months.Image health-monitoring system 120 may also detect that the user hasbeen visiting fast food restaurants more often, and the user has notbeen sleeping well. Image health-monitoring system 120 may then compareall of this information to medical databases and alert the user thathis/her current lifestyle may be leading to his/her significant hairloss problem.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, communication module 126includes a set of programming instructions, in image health-monitoringsystem 120, to display an alert in response to the degree of changeexceeding a prescribed threshold for the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored (step 206).

In exemplary embodiments, communication module 126 may communicate withuser computing device 110 by displaying a description of a potentialhealth concern, together with a confidence level of the health concern,based on a degree of change exceeding a prescribed threshold for aspecific physical characteristic, of the user, being monitored.

In further embodiments, communication module 126 may display, to theuser via user computing device 110, a link to the selected plurality ofimages depicting the progression of change over time with reference tothe specific physical characteristic being monitored. Communicationmodule 126 may also provide a link to the user to learn more about thepotential health concern.

In alternative embodiments, communication module 126 may display, to theuser via user computing device 110, a link to the user's insurancebenefits, provider options, preferred medical treatments, local medicalprofessionals that specialize in a particular relevant medicaltreatment, and any other personalized data.

In the example embodiment, network 102 is a communication channelcapable of transferring data between connected devices and may be atelecommunications network used to facilitate telephone calls betweentwo or more parties comprising a landline network, a wireless network, aclosed network, a satellite network, or any combination thereof. Inanother embodiment, network 102 may be the Internet, representing aworldwide collection of networks and gateways to support communicationsbetween devices connected to the Internet. In this other embodiment,network 102 may include, for example, wired, wireless, or fiber opticconnections which may be implemented as an intranet network, a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any combinationthereof. In further embodiments, network 102 may be a Bluetooth network,a WiFi network, or a combination thereof. In general, network 102 can beany combination of connections and protocols that will supportcommunications between user computing device 110, social media server130, and database server 140.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting components of a computing device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should beappreciated that FIG. 3 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing device of FIG. 3 may include one or more processors 902, oneor more computer-readable RAMs 904, one or more computer-readable ROMs906, one or more computer readable storage media 908, device drivers912, read/write drive or interface 914, network adapter or interface916, all interconnected over a communications fabric 918. Communicationsfabric 918 may be implemented with any architecture designed for passingdata and/or control information between processors (such asmicroprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), systemmemory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within asystem.

One or more operating systems 910, and one or more application programs911, such as image health-monitoring system 120, may be stored on one ormore of the computer readable storage media 908 for execution by one ormore of the processors 902 via one or more of the respective RAMs 904(which typically include cache memory). In the illustrated embodiment,each of the computer readable storage media 908 may be a magnetic diskstorage device of an internal hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick,magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, a semiconductor storagedevice such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory or any othercomputer-readable tangible storage device that can store a computerprogram and digital information.

Computing device of FIG. 3 may also include a R/W drive or interface 914to read from and write to one or more portable computer readable storagemedia 926. Application programs 911 on computing device 110 may bestored on one or more of the portable computer readable storage media926, read via the respective R/W drive or interface 914 and loaded intothe respective computer readable storage media 908.

Computing device of FIG. 3 may also include a network adapter orinterface 916, such as a TCP/IP adapter card or wireless communicationadapter (such as a 4G wireless communication adapter using OFDMAtechnology). Application programs 911 on computing device of FIG. 3 maybe downloaded to the computing device from an external computer orexternal storage device via a network (for example, the Internet, alocal area network or other wide area network or wireless network) andnetwork adapter or interface 916. From the network adapter or interface916, the programs may be loaded onto computer readable storage media908. The network may comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers.

Computing device of FIG. 3 may also include a display screen 920, akeyboard or keypad 922, and a computer mouse or touchpad 924. Devicedrivers 912 interface to display screen 920 for imaging, to keyboard orkeypad 922, to computer mouse or touchpad 924, and/or to display screen920 for pressure sensing of alphanumeric character entry and userselections. The device drivers 912, R/W drive or interface 914 andnetwork adapter or interface 916 may comprise hardware and software(stored on computer readable storage media 908 and/or ROM 906).

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 4 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g. using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 4) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; analytics services 96, including thosedescribed in connection with FIGS. 1-5.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g. light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing aphysical condition based on at least two images, comprising: selecting aplurality of images based on a time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images and a specific physical characteristic beingmonitored; detecting a degree of change in the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored, wherein the degree of change comprises achange in one or more pixel patterns of at least one image within theplurality of images correlated with the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored, based on the time lapse interval associated with theplurality of images; displaying an alert in response to the degree ofchange exceeding a prescribed threshold for the specific physicalcharacteristic being monitored; in response to the degree of changeexceeding the prescribed threshold, mining one or more user activitiesfrom the plurality of images, a geographic location, and social networkpostings for information correlating to the degree of change in thespecific physical characteristic being monitored; determining that theone or more user activities correlate with the degree of change in thespecific physical characteristic being monitored; and displayingpreventative health information, to a user, based on the determined oneor more user activities that correlate with the degree of change in thespecific physical characteristic being monitored.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: normalizingthe plurality of images based on the specific physical characteristicbeing monitored.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, whereinnormalizing the plurality of images is selected from a group consistingof adjusting brightness of the at least one image within the pluralityof images, cropping the at least one image within the plurality ofimages to focus on the specific physical characteristic being monitored,and rotating the at least one image within the plurality of images. 4.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the time lapseinterval associated with the plurality of images is customizable basedon a specific health issue to be monitored.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein selecting the plurality of images furthercomprises: mining a plurality of sources, wherein the plurality ofsources is selected from a group consisting of a social mediaapplication, a user computing device, and a third party server.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: instructinga user to take a new image of the specific physical characteristic beingmonitored.